Write One Page Per Day – 51/365 – February 20, 2018

Claire turned over to find herself face to face with a tired looking old man. He had an understanding smile on his face.

“I don’t want everyone to die because I’m not strong enough.” She said.

“You don’t understand. You are strong enough.” He said, “I’ve seen many things since all this began. The visions come in waves rendering me useless for hours at times. Every vision I receive shows you as you are, but with purpose and drive. Whatever you choose to do, we will stand with you.”

“What would you do, if you were me?” She asked.

“I’d get out of bed.” He replied with a wink before he stood and left the room.

Claire turned onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Thoughts of paradise and hell on earth flashed through her mind as if reminding her of the truth. She tried to push them from her thoughts, but it was useless, she had to face them eventually, she knew that much.

She sat up and threw her legs over the side of the bed before rising and walking to a window to look out over the city. The building they were in was nowhere near the tallest, but it did have a great view. She felt sadness wash over her when she looked at the streets, seeing them devoid of the life they once contained.

People used to thrive here, and now they’re mostly dead. She thought.

“You’re awake!” Beth said as she came into the room, startling Claire.

“Yeah, I’m awake.” Claire replied without turning around.

“What’re you doing?”

“Thinking about all the people who are gone, why it had to come to this, why I was chosen to play this role.” Claire said.

“Are you hungry?” Beth asked.

“No.” Claire said before she turned around, “How can you act like things are normal? How can you just stand there asking me if I’m hungry when so much is wrong with what’s happening?”

“I don’t know.” Beth said, “I have faith.”

“Faith in what? Me? God? Humanity? How can you have faith when practically everyone you knew is gone now?” Claire spat.

“I have faith in all of that.” Beth said, “It wasn’t easy at first, and at times, even now, it’s not easy. Like when you were shot. The world is a dark and dying place right now, but I chose to help protect the light.”

“You think I’m the light?” Claire replied waving her arms, “Look around you. I am one woman who took a case because a boy showed up in Fryeburg covered in blood, his car was found in Bangor, and the two people he was traveling with had vanished. Now I am standing in an apartment building, talking to one of those missing people, while she looks at me like I’m some kind of messiah.”

“I’m not looking at you like you’re the messiah.” Beth replied. “I’m looking at you like you matter, because you do. We all do.”